Limerick Lotto winner of close to €200k comes forward

WHAT a way to start 2023 for two lucky players of the National Lottery in Foynes and Ballylanders.

On Thursday, January 5, it was revealed that a quick pick player at Kelly’s Costcutter in Foynes scooped the €11.1m jackpot in the previous night's draw.

Then on Sunday it was the turn of an East Limerick person or syndicate to be in the money as Hayes' Mace in Ballylanders sold a Lotto ticket for Saturday's draw worth close to €200,000. There was just one winner of the match 5 and bonus prize of €194,994.

A spokesperson for the National Lottery said: "The winner from Ballylanders has made contact with our claims team and arrangements are being made for them to collect their prize."

Mairead Hayes, proprietor of the store, said there has been "a great buzz around the village, great fun and speculation".

"It would be great if it was somebody local and a regular customer but either way whoever it is I'm happy for them. It is a nice sum of money.

"We cover a wide area and have a lot of passing trade as well because we're on the Old Cork-Limerick road. It could be anyone and whoever it is more luck to them. I'm delighted for them," said Mairead, who is the fourth generation of her family to run the business.

WATCH: Celebrations underway in Limerick village following mega Lotto win

This is the biggest amount anyone has ever won from playing the Lotto in Hayes' shop in Ballylanders.

"We've had a few €5,000 and smaller amounts but nothing like this. It is the top prize in Ireland which is amazing for a small country shop and it's great for Limerick too after Foynes had the really big one a few days ago," said Mairead.

This Wednesday’s Lotto jackpot now rolls to an estimated €2.5m and chances are there will be a boost in sales of tickets in Limerick as players hope it will be a hat-trick of wins!